Topics in Galois Fields

This monograph provides a self-contained presentation of the foundations of finite fields, including a detailed treatment of their algebraic closures. It also covers important advanced topics which are not yet found in textbooks: the primitive normal basis theorem, the existence of primitive elements in affine hyperplanes, and the Niederreiter method for factoring polynomials over finite fields.

This book discusses major topics in Galois theory and advanced linear algebra, including canonical forms. Divided into four chapters and presenting numerous new theorems, it serves as an easy-to-understand textbook for undergraduate students of advanced linear algebra, and helps students understand other courses, such as Riemannian geometry. The book also discusses key topics including Cayley–Hamilton theorem, Galois groups, Sylvester’s law of inertia, Eisenstein criterion, and solvability by radicals. Readers are assumed to have a grasp of elementary properties of groups, rings, fields, and vector spaces, and familiarity with the elementary properties of positive integers, inner product space of finite dimension and linear transformations is beneficial.

This book discusses major topics in Galois theory and advanced linear algebra, including canonical forms. Divided into four chapters and presenting numerous new theorems, it serves as an easy-to-understand textbook for undergraduate students of advanced linear algebra, and helps students understand other courses, such as Riemannian geometry. The book also discusses key topics including Cayley–Hamilton theorem, Galois groups, Sylvester’s law of inertia, Eisenstein criterion, and solvability by radicals. Readers are assumed to have a grasp of elementary properties of groups, rings, fields, and vector spaces, and familiarity with the elementary properties of positive integers, inner product space of finite dimension and linear transformations is beneficial.

An introduction to one of the most celebrated theories of mathematics
Galois theory is one of the jewels of mathematics. Its intrinsic beauty, dramatic history, and deep connections to other areas of mathematics give Galois theory an unequaled richness. David Coxs Galois Theory helps readers understand not only the elegance of the ideas but also where they came from and how they relate to the overall sweep of mathematics.

This textbook offers a unique introduction to classical Galois theory through many concrete examples and exercises of varying difficulty (including computer-assisted exercises).